Portland’s new affordable housing development includes units for families transitioning out of homelessness

Located in Portland, Oregon’s Pearl District, Vibrant! is a new affordable housing, high-rise development. Salazar Architect designed the building shell and interior common areas in collaboration with LRS Architects, which led the overall project management and design of the apartments.

Vibrant! includes 93 one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments, including 40 units that are set aside for families transitioning out of homelessness. The building’s exterior design forgoes the brown brick tradition of the district and instead opts for a combination of neutral and brightly colored metal panels.

Interior common areas were designed with a minimalist approach and simple materials including natural concrete floors and ceilings. The lobby’s flooring is stained in a blue hue that contrasts with the reclaimed oak wood walls that wrap around interconnecting management and social services offices, casual seating, mail boxes, and a bike room. The second floor features a playroom, a community room, a kitchen, and a computer room. Glazed garage doors lead to an outdoor playground. The building also includes a number of sustainable features such as a rooftop PV solar array, native plants, and a roof terrace.

The number of homeless living on the Hawaiian island of Oahu increased by 12% last year. On that island, Honolulu, the state’s capital, is one of 15 communities nationwide where Kaiser Permanente and Community Solutions are working together to reduce chronic homelessness. Image: Photo by Ivan Lizarde on Unsplash

The top-floor penhouse at The Avery will feature a 1,580-sf private deck that can be customized with amenities like a yoga deck, garden, dining area, and lounge. All renderings: OMA, courtesy Related California